Faculty of Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351
Abstract
Justice in the Islamic world is not limited to the fair distribution of material resources; rather, it has a deeper foundation in the just ordering of knowledge and meaning. Injustice in the realm of knowledge, by silencing voices and erasing authentic narratives, not only makes the understanding of the experiences of Islamic societies impossible but also deprives them of historical agency and the ability to imagine a clear future. This research examines "silent violence" in West Asia - a non-physical yet profound form of domination operating in the realms of meaning, language, and representation, which creates "hermeneutical injustice" by depriving communities of the ability to express and interpret their sufferings. Using a critical-analytical method and integrating frameworks from social epistemology, postcolonial studies, and critical theory, the study analyzes two main forms of this violence: first, "Western discursive colonialism," which controls knowledge-production institutions to distort or erase Islamic narratives; and second, "Takfiri radical violence," which appropriates religious concepts to silence internal Islamic voices. Findings indicate that these two forms converge through three shared mechanisms- distortion of meaning, destruction of time, and eradication of hope- creating a network of civilizational hermeneutical injustice that fuels conflict and undermines the capacity to imagine and take action for change. The article concludes by proposing strategies of "restorative epistemic justice" through "historical resonance," "conceptual decolonization," "design justice," and "reclaiming the space of reasons."
Shafiei Ghahfarokhi,O . (2026). Silent Violence, Hermeneutical Injustice and Epistemic Resistance in Islamic World. (e248351). The Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World, (), e248351 doi: 10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351
MLA
Shafiei Ghahfarokhi,O . "Silent Violence, Hermeneutical Injustice and Epistemic Resistance in Islamic World" .e248351 , The Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World, , , 2026, e248351. doi: 10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351
HARVARD
Shafiei Ghahfarokhi O. (2026). 'Silent Violence, Hermeneutical Injustice and Epistemic Resistance in Islamic World', The Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World, (), e248351. doi: 10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351
CHICAGO
O Shafiei Ghahfarokhi, "Silent Violence, Hermeneutical Injustice and Epistemic Resistance in Islamic World," The Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World, (2026): e248351, doi: 10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351
VANCOUVER
Shafiei Ghahfarokhi O. Silent Violence, Hermeneutical Injustice and Epistemic Resistance in Islamic World. The Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World. 2026;():e248351 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/fasiw.2026.248351